Five players who were unlucky to miss out on England's Ashes squad

Mark Wood

Injuries meant that Wood was overlooked

The 27-year-old fast bowler's biggest nemesis has been injuries. And that seems to have taken a toll on him yet again as one of England's fastest bowlers failed to make the cut for the Ashes. Great things were expected of Mark Wood ever since he made his debut in 2015 but a series of injuries have meant that in the two years since his Test debut, he has played just 10 Tests.

He has been struggling with a heel injury in the past weeks and although he is playing for Durham in the County Championship in their last game of the season, England decided not to risk him. Especially after he missed the last five Tests of the current English summer and given that his fitness is still a major concern, that might be exacerbated Down Under, the selectors have decided against the selection of the fast bowler.

A fully-fit Wood would have been just what the doctor ordered for England with his extra pace and his ability to reverse swing. However, after playing just five games for Durham in the County Championship, the decision was made to not risk a half-fit bowler or even one that could break down at any time during the arduous tour.